Current Context: The Union Minister for Finance launched the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) in New Delhi.

ABOUT GSTAT

• Established Under: Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
• Function: Hears appeals under CGST and State/UT GST Acts.
• Composition:
  • President (Supreme Court judge or former High Court Chief Justice)
  • Judicial Members
  • Technical Members (Centre & State)
• Eligibility: Requires long judicial or revenue service experience (25 years in Group A for technical members).
• Tenure: 4 years or until 70 years (President) and 67 years (other members).
• Powers: Equivalent to a Civil Court – can hear cases, pass orders, impose penalties, revoke or cancel registrations.

Current Context: Recently, Ladakh witnessed violent protests demanding statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

ABOUT THE SIXTH SCHEDULE

• Origin: Based on the recommendations of the Bordoloi Committee; came into effect in 1950.
• Constitutional Basis: Articles 244(2) and 275(1).
• Applicability: Special provisions for tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
• Governance System: Provides elected Autonomous District and Regional Councils with legislative, judicial, and financial powers.
• Key Provisions:
  • Autonomous Districts & Regions: Created by Governor for tribal administration.
  • Councils: District Councils (up to 30 members) and Regional Councils with law-making powers on land, forests (except reserved), inheritance, and customary laws.
  • Judicial Powers: Councils establish Village and District Council Courts (excluding serious crimes).
  • Financial Powers: Councils can levy taxes, regulate mineral extraction, and collect land revenue.
  • Local Administration: Councils manage schools, dispensaries, roads, fisheries, and markets.
  • Governor’s Powers: Can reorganise districts and review administration.

Current Context: India and Australia have signed a Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) for organic products under the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) at Vanijya Bhavan, New Delhi.

ABOUT THE MUTUAL RECOGNITION ARRANGEMENT (MRA)

• Purpose: Allows mutual acceptance of organic certification standards, eliminating duplicate inspections.
• Coverage:
  • Unprocessed plant products (excluding greenhouse crops and aquatic plants)
  • Processed plant-based foods (including third-country certified ingredients processed in India or Australia)
  • Wine
• Implementing Agencies:
  • Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, India
  • Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Australia

It is observed globally on 26 September.

• Aim : to raise awareness about the link between environmental conditions and human health.
• Established by: International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH).
• Theme 2025: “Clean Air, Healthy People”

Current Context : The Philippines was recently affected by Super Typhoon Ragasa.

ABOUT SUPER TYPHOON

Definition : A tropical cyclone with wind speed above 185 km/h (100 knots).

Formation

• Forms over oceans with sea surface temperature above 26°C.
• Develops at latitudes beyond 5° from the equator.
• Has a warm core low-pressure system with spiral inflow at the bottom and outflow at the top.

Regional Terms

• Hurricane – North Atlantic, Eastern North Pacific, South Pacific.
• Cyclone – Indian Ocean.
• Typhoon – Western North Pacific.
• Willy-willy – Southern Indian Ocean (eastern part).

Current Context : The DRAVYA Portal (Digitized Retrieval Application for Versatile Yardstick of AYUSH Substances) was launched on National Ayurveda Day 2025.

ABOUT DRAVYA PORTAL

Ministry : Ministry of Ayush.

Features

• Largest collection of Ayurvedic ingredients and products.
• Covers classical Ayurvedic texts, scientific research, and field studies.
• Designed as an ever-growing and evolving database.

Current Context : An AI-enabled nature experience centre is coming up at Betla National Park, Jharkhand.

ABOUT BETLA NATIONAL PARK

• Located in Latehar district, Jharkhand, on the Chota Nagpur Plateau.
• Only National Park of Jharkhand, notified in 1986.
• Core area of Palamau Tiger Reserve, among the first tiger reserves of India.
• River : North Koel River flows through, forming scenic waterfalls.

Unique Features

• Includes Mahuadanr Wolf Sanctuary.
• Inhabited by indigenous tribes like Oraon and Munda.

Current Context : The Prime Minister of India inaugurated new infrastructure and beautification works at the Tripura Sundari Temple complex in Udaipur, Tripura.

ABOUT TRIPURA SUNDARI TEMPLE

• Location : Tripura, built in 1501 A.D. by Maharaja Dhanya Manikya.
• History : One of the 51 Shakti Peethas of the subcontinent.

Names & Importance

• Fondly called Matabari.
• Also known as Kurma Pith, as its base resembles a tortoise’s hump.
• Considered one of the most sacred temples of Northeast India.

Architecture & Deities

• Temple has a square plan with a sloping roof, similar to Bengal hut style.
• Sanctum houses two idols: Goddess Tripura Sundari and Goddess Chhoto-Ma (Chandi).
• The smaller idol was carried by kings during wars and hunts.

Cultural Significance

• A centre of syncretism, uniting Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and multiple communities.
• Hindus, Muslims, and tribal groups actively participate in rituals.

Current Context : The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) launched the second edition of the Brazil–India Cross-Incubation Programme in Agritech (Maitri 2.0) at New Delhi.

ABOUT MAITRI 2.0

Nature

• A two-way learning platform between Indian and Brazilian innovators.
• Aims to build an inclusive agri-food ecosystem for global food security.

Objectives

• Strengthen incubator linkages between India and Brazil.
• Promote co-incubation models and exchange of best practices.
• Explore opportunities in sustainable agriculture, digital technologies, and agri-value chains.
• Directly benefit farmers through inclusive innovation ecosystems.

Current Context : The 4th edition of World Food India (WFI) 2025 will be held from 25–28 September 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

ABOUT WFI 2025

Organiser : Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

Purpose

• Promote investment in food processing.
• Showcase India’s culinary richness.
• Position India as the Food Basket of the World.

Special Features

• Aims to create global partnerships and promote inclusive, sustainable food systems.
• Connects farmers, processors, startups, investors, and exporters.

Participation

• Over 1700 exhibitors, 500 international buyers, and 100+ countries.
• Partner Countries: New Zealand, Saudi Arabia.
• Focus Countries: Russia, UAE, Japan, Vietnam.
• Delegations from 21 Indian states/UTs and 10 Central Ministries.